Culture

Beliefs

Most typically, Vocatis can be categorized by the Seven Facets, seven tempers that define the natural order:

• Greed / Charity
• Pride / Humility
• Lust / Chastity
• Wrath / Patience
• Gluttony / Temperance 
• Envy / Kindness
• Sloth / Diligence

Much as the beings themselves, these Facets are neither good nor evil in alignment but embody the spectrum of the natural order that the Vocatis may influence for their own means. Principally, the Vocatis may manipulate these Facets to answer their calling or to help or hinder the inhabitants of Earth, although this is a secondary drive. They may devote themselves to one or more of these Facets across any spectrum of perceived ‘good’ or ‘evil’, however, the concept itself of good versus evil does not exist for the Vocatis; for example, one devoted to the pursuit of wrath does not consider their actions evil, despite causing conflict. Likewise, a kindness-based Vocatis is not necessarily an angel or a “do-gooder”; they have an ulterior motive in convincing others to do their bidding. 

Vocatis do not exist in traditional societies, and are therefore fiercely independent, sometimes to the point of paranoia, treating alliances as temporary tools rather than enduring friendships. They treat most relationships as transactional and pride themselves in competitive pursuits, whether through trade, sex, debate, or duels.

Characteristics

The Manifestations

Vocatis themselves draw their power in four Manifestations (click on arrow to read more):

Commutatio – The Exchanger

The Communtatio, or The Exchanger, seeks their calling through trades. This could be simple commerce, or more commonly, through bargaining. This may take the form of the traditional ‘Devil’s Deal’, trading one’s soul or liberty for gain or wealth, but more often exacts a less severe cost. Examples may be trading one’s servitude in exchange for protection, or trading blood or flesh for revenge.

Carnes – The Flesh

The Carnes, or The Flesh, seeks their calling through exploits of the flesh. Often characterized as the incubi and succubi, The Carnes can indeed gain power through sexual intercourse, however, they just as easily gain power through devotion, healing of wounds, arousal, or pure hedonism.

Bellator – The Warrior

The Bellator, or The Warrior, finds their calling through martial prowess. Traditionally, this was through warfare and conquest, leading great armies of both human and Vocatis alike, where conquest and bloodshed would elevate a being to greater powers. In modern times, while combat is still a key component for The Bellator, most often this is achieved through more conspicuous means; often through employment as soldiers, law enforcement, bodyguards, or mercenaries, or recreationally as boxers, martial artists, and athletes.

Moderatoris – The Controller

The Moderatoris, or The Controller, finds their calling through the alteration or manipulation of the mind. Like all Vocatis manifestations, this exists on a spectrum of good and ill and can be used to soothe the troubled mind or manipulate the weak one. The Moderatoris can alter the thoughts and, by extension, the actions of those they target either through subtle nudges and suggestions or by taking complete control of an unwitting subject. Highly valued for both their offensive and therapeutic uses, they have become masters of their craft.

Mating

Vocatis are capable of forming bonds with other species though it may manifest in ways that differ from traditional “human” love. Not familiar with the concepts of true affection or devotion, a Vocatis bond can often manifest as infatuation, fondness, possessiveness, obsession, or jealousy.

Vocatis are seen as entities that can possess, tempt, and deceive humans, rather than as beings with a need or ability to create physical offspring; and will often use such actions to advance their goals, gain leverage, or grow their own power.

However, Carnes Vocatis are notorious for breeding with humans to create vessels to potentially possess when and if the need arises.

Importantly, children born of a Vocatis relationship do not possess any of the powers of their Vocatis parent (as Vocatis cannot be created); they are, however, exceedingly susceptible to becoming vessels. Children of Vocatis are derisively referred to as ‘Imps’.

Grouping

Vocatis are distinct for their lack of formal groupings; fiercely independent, and often working at odds with their kin, it is exceedingly rare to find Vocatis in groups larger than a bonded pair. With their conflicting manifestations, larger groups of Vocatis have been known to fracture along the lines of their competing ambitions. Instead, their relationships are most often transactional and distrustful. 

More commonly, Vocatis form groups of followers of ‘lesser’ species in bands of bodyguards, harems, or slaves.

Appearance

Human Form

In their human form, the Vocatis takes on the physical appearance of their human host. By all accounts, they appear entirely human in this form, although newer hosts may struggle to appropriate the correct characteristics of the vessel, such as body temperature, stance, body language, accent/talking style – Indeed, many new hosts may struggle with basic motor skills such as walking while they adjust to the form. 

To combat this, many Vocatis engage in periods of intense research on their intended vessel, learning their habits and body language, although this is not always possible.

True Form

The True Form of the Vocatis represents their Manifestation. Often large, winged, shifting, they strike equal parts fear and awe into those who behold them. Vocatis vary wildly in appearance, although they often take certain attributes based on their Manifestation. (This is optional, and open to player interpretation)

Additional notes: All Vocatis can possess wings.

The Summoning

The Summoning opens a passage for a Vocatis to cross into the human world freely, untethered, to seek, hunt, and claim a vessel of its choosing. The summoner acts only as a herald, not as a vessel or master.

Once summoned, the Vocatis owes no loyalty to the summoner. It may choose its prey, and sometimes the summoner becomes the first target.

Possessions require the vessel to have a beating heart. Meaning Vampires and Revenants cannot be possessed nor a dead body.

The Ashen Circle
Draw a ritual circle in a location hidden from mass consciousness (abandoned places, wilderness, deep basements). The circle must incorporate symbols representing the Seven Facets mirrored by their opposites.

Offering of Exchange
A physical token aligned with the Manifestation you wish to summon:

• Commutatio: A written contract, signed in blood or a Ruby
• Carnes: Flesh (yours or a willing donor’s) or an Emerald
• Bellator: A weapon used to draw blood (blade, bullet, etc.) or a Sapphire
• Moderatoris: A mirror or vial of ink to symbolize the mind’s alteration, or a Diamond

The Beacon Flame
A single black candle at the center of the circle, anointed with oil infused with wormwood, myrrh, and poppy seeds. This candle acts as the bridge for the Vocatis to anchor to the world.

Ritual Steps

Prepare The Ashen Circle

At the hour of deepest night (around 3:00 AM), draw the Ashen Circle as described above.

Ignite the Beacon Flame

Light the Beacon Flame and sprinkle three drops of blood into the flame, saying:

“By smoke and shadow, by blood and breach,
I summon thee across the unseen reach.”

Speak the Summoning Invocation: (three times, building in intensity)

“Traveler of the forgotten path,
Breaker of boundaries, taker of flesh,
I unseal the gate, I tear the veil,
Hunt, Vocatis, through blood and breath!”

Each time the invocation is spoken, scatter a handful of bone dust into the flame.

The Unleashing

When the ritual is successful, you will witness the following:

• The flame will gutter low, then surge with a violet or black hue.
• Shadows near the mirror will bend outward unnaturally, reaching.

At this point, the Vocatis steps into the world, unseen by most, but present. It will pass through the Ashen Circle, free to roam and hunt.

Possession

Destruction of the Original Soul

When the Vocatis seizes a body, it does not merely suppress the original soul, it unmakes it.

• The soul is consumed, scattered, and shredded across the spiritual planes.
• No trace remains: no lingering consciousness, no afterlife, no reincarnation.
• For all intents and purposes, the individual is erased from existence.
• If exceptionally strong-willed, a “soul echo” might linger for a period of time, causing confusion, disorientation, or momentary flashes of past memory before being extinguished completely.
  • This will last until the next full phase of the moon, new or full moon, whichever comes sooner.

The New Being

Longevity
The Vocatis can dramatically extend the body’s lifespan if desired, healing wounds at unnatural rates and resisting diseases.

Limitations
However, the body is still physical matter; it can eventually decay, be destroyed, or be overtaxed. Some Vocatis will eventually “shed” the vessel for another body once it wears out.

Abilities

Manifestation of Powers (click arrow to read full details).

Note: All actions require the consent of other players.

Universal Vocatis Abilities

Soul Sense – Vocatis can instinctively read basic “flavors” of another person, identifying dominant vices, traumas, strengths, and weaknesses. They cannot inherently detect the species of another individual, but can discern human from “other”.

Facet Pulse – Vocatis can send a surge of their dominant Facet at a single target, triggering intense feelings of, for example, wrath or envy, temperance or kindness.

Commutatio

Pactcraft – Can forge contacts that bind a soul into oaths, promises, or servitude. Requires a signature in blood. Often, carries hidden consequences.

Devil’s Deal – Masters at dealcraft, the Commutatio conduct trades with mortals, most infamously trading one’s soul or liberty for gain or wealth, but more often exacts a less severe cost. Examples may be trading one’s servitude in exchange for protection, or trading blood or flesh for revenge.

Carnes

Fleshweaving – The Carnes can manipulate the flesh of themselves or others, healing, reshaping, corrupting, or arousing.

Hedonistic Harvest – Draws strength or power from acts of indulgence, sensuality, devotion, or even physical suffering; they can also cause intense emotional and physical sensations in a target using the stored balance of this power, inducing bliss, agony, arousal or rage in a target.

Bellator

Martial Supremacy – In battle, the Bellator are faster, stronger, and more relentless than many other mortals. Their endurance is matched only by the peak examples of their rival species. They are able to summon weapons from their flesh, made of bone.

Strife Stricken – They are able to incite violence, rage, and conflict in those around them; in doing so, they enter a state of ecstasy which can be channeled into a berserker rage.

Moderatoris

Mindbending – With sustained, uninterrupted focus, the Moderatoris can invade the mind of a target, implanting suggestions, distorting perception and by extension their actions.

Command of Thought – With careful preparation and sustained focus, they can commandeer and puppeteer a victim. This requires ongoing weakening of the target’s willpower.

Vulnerabilities

True Form

To achieve their true form, a Vocatis must abandon their vessel, leaving it in a state of hibernation. However, this separation is not without risk. The unguarded vessel is vulnerable to destruction, which would leave the Vocatis trapped between planes. Their only options would be to tether to and possess an Imp, or wait to be summoned again.

Ritual Exorcism

There are rumors of an ancient, lost rite that can sever the bond between a Vocatis and the mortal plane. 

Much like the Fae, this requires knowledge of the Vocatis’ true name and a significant sacrifice. Knowledge of this rite is said to have been lost with The Second Sister, and only rumors of its power remain. 

Vessel’s Flesh

In their human form, they are tied to many mortal limitations. Destroying the vessel (beyond repair, not just injuring it) will force the Vocatis out, but does not necessarily kill them.

Upon the destruction of the vessel, either when in hibernation as described above, or destroyed through any other means, the untethered Vocatis quickly weaken. They must seek another host immediately, or face banishment to their native realm, requiring resummoning. This must be completed within seven days.

Moon Effects

The Lode’s energy is at its strongest during a Full Moon, interfering with the Vocatis’ ability to tap into the energy of their plane. This is when Vocatis are at their weakest, unlike other species they are not able to transform during a full moon.

However, during a New Moon, the Lode is at its weakest. This allows Vocatis to have a greater tether to their energy source, allowing their true form to emerge. 

The new moon phase is believed to be more successful when summoning Vocatis or locating a new vessel.